- SHANGHAI: Center-forward Lauren Wenger, named the most valuable player at the 2009 world water polo championships with 11 goals, continued her strong form by scoring three when the United States and Netherlands played to a 7-7 draw Sunday in the opening match of this year’s titles.
Nienke Vermeer scored three for the Netherlands in the Group A match at the Oriental Sports Center.
The Americans are strong favorites this year, having won the last two world championships and three of the last four.
Canada, which lost the gold medal final to the US in Rome in 2009, played Australia in one of seven other later matches Sunday. Australia finished runner-up to the US in 2007.
The men’s tournament, also involving 16 teams, begins Monday.